QUICKSTEP GEARING UP FOR PRODUCTION
Australian technology company Quickstep is gearing up for full-scale composite component manufacture using its patented fluid-based curing process following the recent approval for its first aerospace parts manufactured at its Fremantle, Western Australia site. The company, which has a manufacturing development contract with Airbus, a co-operation and development agreement with Eurocopter and accreditation as an approved tenderer from two major manufacturers, has received three new autoclaves.
CAE SECURES CONTRACTS FOR FIVE SIMULATORS
CAE has sold to Continental Airlines two Boeing Next Generation 737 full-flight simulators and a flight-training device for delivery to Continental's Houston training centre in 2009. Another two 737 simulators and one for Airbus A320s will in 2010 go to a joint order from Air China and Shandong Airlines. CAE values the deals at roughly C$60 million ($49 million).
EADS BUYS UK SMALL SATELLITE MAKER
EADS Astrium has acquired Guildford, UK-based Surrey Satellite Technology, the University of Surrey spin-off that specialises in the design and manufacture of small satellites and subsystems. SSTL, which was 85% owned by the university, will retain its name. Astrium UK chief executive Colin Paynter says: "At Astrium we have a healthy orderbook and we are recruiting engineers, scientists and technicians."
EMBRAER DELIVERED 162 REGIONAL JETS IN 2008
AIRFRAMERS Embraer delivered 162 regional jets last year, against 130 in 2007. The figure comprises 92 Embraer 190/195s, 64 E-170/175s and six ERJ-145s. In total, the Brazilian airframer delivered 204 aircraft, including 36 executive jets and six for defence and government customers, a 20% increase on the 169 aircraft delivered in 2007. Embraer values its firm order backlog of 426 jets as at the end of December at $20.9 billion.
GULF AIR TO START HEDGING FUEL TO CUT LOSSES
Gulf Air intends soon to start hedging fuel as part of a bid to halt losses. The airline claims it achieved the highest revenues in its history last year - although it has yet to disclose any figures - but is uncertain about when it will start turning a profit. Chief executive Björn Näf says the fuel-price increases last year generated a sense of "urgency" about introducing a hedging policy.
AER LINGUS CHIEFS CUT TERMS TO FIGHT RYANAIR
Aer Lingus chief executive Dermot Mannion and chief financial officer Sean Coyle have requested, and been granted, the removal of a condition in their contracts that would provide for compensation in the event of constructive dismissal if the airline were to be acquired by a third party. Mannion says the change was made to "focus our attention on defeating the unsolicited bid from Ryanair that fundamentally undervalues Aer Lingus".
INDIA MAY EASE AIRLINE OWNERSHIP RESTRICTIONS
India may ease regulations that bar foreign airlines from owning stakes in its domestic carriers, which want better access to foreign capital. Foreign ownership of up to 49% is allowed, but foreign airlines have since 1997 been barred from owning any shares. A 20-25% ceiling is one option under consideration.
Source: Flight International
